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My new summer uniform

We were packing for Chicago this morning, and I was thinking about summer uniforms. What's yours this summer? I keep spotting beautiful women around town wearing white jeans with grey T-shirts. Fresh, clean, classic. Perfect for day or night. Here's how to get the look...Grey tee: Get this one. People usually think of tees as basics that you can find anywhere—Gap, Old Navy—but not all T-shirts are created equal. Certain tees can be wildly unflattering. You want to stay away from fluttery sleeves, high necks and any thick fabrics. Instead, find a thin tee with a lower crew neck or V-neck, which are soooooo much prettier.

White jeans: My favorite pair, hands down. The cut is fantastic. I bought these before a trip to Paris three years ago and have loved wearing them ever since.

I'm definitely going to try to rock this look. Thanks Jo! I'm wearing my white jeans today, but with a blank tank (Briana, my white jeans get a bit dingy by the end of the day... but I am sure nobody notices!). I also love white shorts with a bold colored light sweater or t-shirt for summer.

I decided to take a chance this year and buy some colored jeans- they are a taupe-ish purple- b/c I have the same problem as Briana! :( I really like the summer feel with a light, fun color- and I think the shade looks food with dark hair.

Hope you have fun here in Chicago! It's a great city! Talk to locals on tips for what to do and where to eat, b/c in tourist areas the food- not so great! A few other recommendations:The Oven Grinder(Lincoln Park)- if you are here on a weekday-there's a much shorter wait- they don't take reservations and are cash only. They make pizza pot pies that are legendary! And the atmosphere has a mobster era-like feel. Especially b/c it's right across the street from where the infamous St. Valentine's Day massacre happened...Nightwood-(Pilsen/North of Chinatown) Fabulous brunch with a seasonal menu and local ingredients, has become really popular-food is fabulous.Peggy Notebaert Museum-Has a fun butterfly house and is right north of Lincoln Park zoo. RJ Grunts is a great casual restaurant thats not a bad walk from the museum or zoo- on Armitage St,Green City Market- Every Saturday morning except the 4th, best farmer's market in the city! Great place to snatch breakfast too... have fun!!

My summer uniform this year has been light cotton dresses over leggings. It's been hot hot hot in Michigan already and I find that these outfits keep me cool and can be dressed up or dressed down according to the occasion. I've also been pulling my hair back in a messy bun and wrapping a headband or scarf around my head for an extra pop of color (and to keep the hair off my face and neck). This uniform has been so comfortable I feel like I'll probably add a cardigan and longer leggings and let it be my fall uniform as well!

Am too much of a klutz to wear white jeans :( And I can't imagine athg worse than a pair of jeans worn well with the right accesories - with a patch of dirt or chocolate!Classic blue denim pants and grey tee paired with a light necklace and chunky bracelets are my go-to combo for any season.

Love LOVE white jeans. I have some cropped ones from AT Loft that fit perfectly. I went back and bought some in mint as well. I love wearing my white jeans with this v-neck from Gap http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=17082&vid=1&pid=136925

Wow!This is exactly what I wore yesterday. White jeans are my favorite summertime outfit. I used to wear white, wide leg chinos, but switched to jeans recently.Also, brown sandals/ flats are way better than black.

I loooooove white jeans. The only problem is that my thights are not slim enough to wear them. Sigh! I've had lots of problems finding the right tees, but I've found them. COS makes super cute tees with a very nice and flattering fabric.I love them!

Jo, so excited for you to come to our city. If you need the inside scoop email me as we are right downtown and I could give you some suggestions.It is bloody hot so pack light!Don't forget your bathing suit. See my list of things to do below! xoEhttp://urbanchiqueness.com/chique-summer-fun-list/

I am all for buying pieces that will last, but unfortunately for me, $52.00 for a t-shirt and over $100 for jeans is just out of my price range. I think I'll have to be one of the people who settles for Gap! Until I get out of grad school or my husband changes jobs, whichever comes first!

@maggie I also have the same issue re. pear shape and skinny jeans, but have found that some (very few) actually do fit and look good. Overall, I think the secret is avoiding lots of lycra, which most brands have in this type of jeans (btw, Guess jeans fit nicely!). Otherwise, try a slim fit instead which is just a tad wider at the ankles. My favorite brand is G-Star.

I totally agree with you re v neck but it is funny that two of the pictures posted have high crew necks. It left me wondering whether I was dating myself with the vneck tees and multi necklaces! Does anyone have tips for wide shoulders and tees? I am narrow everywhere and generally a size small in tees but my shoulders are like a linebacker and pull most tees into my armpits leaving me tugging at the sleeves... If anyone has help I love you!

$52 for a gray t-shirt is out of my price range, as I think it is for most people. I'm all for quality, but I've found that a higher price doesn't always equal a longer lasting garment. I found awesome deep v-neck tees at Target this year for $3-$7 depending on if you find them on sale. and if you can't do white jeans (I definitely can't) I find a white denim skirt looks nice or colored jeans. I'm in the south though and my uniform for summer consists of skirts, tanks and sundresses. too hot for jeans!

For gray v-necks, try the tri-blend American Apparel! Live in these during the summer...and a little more pocketbook friendly. http://www.americanapparel.net/wholesaleresources/expressorder/catalog/Product.aspx?s=TR461&cid=198

It's baby soft, substantial (but not heavy), and sits at the hip (I'm not big on the long shirt trend). It's more polished and less slouchy-cool. But whatever, it's MAGICAL. If I could freely throw around 46 bones I'd have one in every color.

I would love to wear an outfit like this, but to me it has RISK written all over. Aside from the obvious scares that come along with white pants, I would pit out in TWO second in a grey t-shirt in this humidity. Not sexy at all.

madewell v-neck pocket tee (in every color!) and jcrew white jeans are my uniform. i love the madewell v-necks, perfect for breastfeeding moms who wants something comfy and soft but also stylish. they also go on sale fairly regularly.

i live in phoenix....so pretty much my summer uniforms is "whatever i don't mind sweating in and can peel off the minute i get home to wander around my house in the nude." ...and that pretty much sums it up :) (but for reals, a skirt and/or cut-off jean shorts are my go-to....and everything neon)

I think it's a really cute look, but I don't know if white jeans are the most flattering choice on me. I end up kind of looking like a mom, since I'm not the skinniest person out there. My general summer uniform is a bright, v-neck tee and a denim mini skirt. Love it!

I totally agree with cosmic! Uniqlo is the SPOT for all the staple items in my closet. Friends who don't have a Uniqlo in their city are tired of hearing me rave about it, but I can't help it! It's the best.

I love white jeans and think they look amazingly chic on others but haven't yet found a pair that don't make me self-conscious about my thighs. Also, my browness always shows through and I can see the pockets. I need to find a thick pair. I love this summer uniform.

Also--first pair of Bensimons (light blue)arrived in the mail yesterday. SO CUTE.

If you are afraid of wearing white pants, try gray jeans with a white shirt. Plus you won't see sweat through the white shirt as much either. Also, Target has great v-neck shirts for cheap and wear in very nicely.

I would looove to rock a pair of white jeans! Unfortunately, I'm like a small child, in that I unwittingly collect stains and smears wherever I go.I've been recycling a few above-the knee tent dresses I bougt a few summers ago, belting them low at the hips and pairing them with ankle-strap sandals. Keeps me cool and feeling stylish, despite the heat!

Chicago woman here. Just wanted to tell you that it is to be 90-100 degrees here. I know some have told you it might be cool at night but I am going to tell you it is very dry here and very very hot right now (but we are getting some rain today) so pack for HOT. Have a great time. It s a wonderful city.

I can never find a pair of white jeans that isn't a little bit sheer. There is that, and the fact that I am pretty sure a pair of white jeans would get dirty in the bag on the way home if they belonged to me. But yes, impossibly fresh looking all the time on those I see wearing them...

Thank you for being so inspiring to all of us...I am addicted to wearing white skinny jeans-I think they look so classy with any colored top...Love the gray and white look. Have to find a gray t-shirt now :) Have a great weekend!!

I don't know if anyone will read all the way through to this comment, but Target has their thin scoopneck tees on sale for $6 this week. I had just picked up a grey one today and then saw this post. Guess I'm on track for the season.

I think we have the same uniform! I pair mine with my K Jacques and am good to go. (And am pretty sure everyone thinks I don't do laundry.)

Have you tried Bobi t-shirts? They're a little pricier (like $40) but worth it! They are the MOST flattering t-shirts ever, and very well made. Every time I have one on I get compliments about my body (seriously) and I kid you not - it's ALL the t-shirt's doing. Crazy.

You know, it's funny, I had a white summer skirt that I wore for three years, even on vacation, and found that I could keep it surprisingly clean and new-looking. I thought I would give white jeans a try this year, so I ordered a couple of different pairs from J Crew. Even though I'm not a big women - between a size 0 and a size 2, I really found them unflattering relative to the same jeans in blue and so I returned them. Maybe it's because I have somewhat muscular, runner's legs. I also was skeptical about keeping them clean, since with jeans one has a tendency to put hands in the pockets (don't the jeans get kind of dingy from the oils on one's hands?). I've concluded that they're for women who have very very thin legs, and/or who do laundry all of the time!! :) I am totally with you on the thin, grey v-neck t though...I'm wearing one right now.

oh yes i've noticed the white jeans trend as well and am on a current hunt for some good white jeans. Your addition of grey t shirts has just brought it to another level. and i agree, Gwyneth is looking super fine!

I love those jeans! oh if only I have the money. And time to exercise, actually. Have to second with what Maggie wrote earlier on. I'm also pear-shaped and find skinny jeans unflattering for my pear-shaped body. ugh. I also have a flare cut w/c i stopped using to go out for the same reason.

Oooo gorgeous. I haven't really ever given white jeans a second thought until this - some how it seems a lot more effortlessly chic that white jeans normally look. The grey tshirt keeps it low key chic. Lovely

I LOVE white jeans but haven't really worn them since having a baby. How do you find them with Toby? I'm thinking when I wear them they will stay clean only until the next snack or meal or play outside!It is such a clean & chic look. Love it.Thanks x

I'm predictable with my summer uniform: rolled up boyfriend jeans and an old t-shirt with a pair of flats. When I'm not at work, that's what I toss on. Or else it's what I put on as soon as I'm back home. :)

I have never had the courage to rock a pair of white jeans, but this post made me rethink my fear. I'm so glad I did! I found a great pair at Zara - paired it with a grey t-shirt from Anthropologie - and my favorite greek sandals. I felt fantastic. Thank you for the inspiration!! I just need to make sure I carry my Tide Stick with me at all times, which I indeed needed today.

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